A Shooting Star ~Kirby and Sonic crossover~

Chapter 57: Sword of the Darkest Night

"You killed her."

Sonic confronted the Dark Matter with a low, dangerous snarl, a hateful growl building in his throat. The sight of the Dark Matter in front of him, clutching the sword that still dripped with Amy's blood, was enough to drive him into a confused and wild frenzy. This Dark Matter had taken the life of his dear friend without remorse. It had stolen her dreams, shattering them like glass. She'd been unable to live her life to the fullest.

And deep down, Sonic knew that he was to blame.

The Dark Matter seemed to know it. It observed him with its gleaming white eye, tipping its head in an almost curious manner. "I was merely following orders. If you had done what you were meant to do, that little girl would not have needed to fall." It's words stirred deep in Sonic's soul, and his heart gave a mighty quiver: the tongue of the Dark Matters. It carried a feeling of hopelessness with each note, as if the language itself centered around the negative powers of Zero.

"It is not too late to prevent more deaths," the Dark Matter continued, not unkindly. In fact, its voice was soft, almost gentle, and it shocked Sonic to hear such a tone coming from a Dark Matter. Perhaps this Dark Matter was more than just a minion, but rather...a sentient being?

It floated toward him, gaze expectant. It was waiting for Sonic to join Zero's cause.

Sonic's spines bristled, and with a forceful push, he shook the thought away, clearing his mind. Whatever the case, this Dark Matter had still murdered one of his friends. He curled his fists, unable to hide his rage. It was no better than its leader, and whether it was replicating real emotions or faking them, Sonic could care less. It would never change the fact that Amy was still dead.

"I'll never follow Zero," Sonic spat defiantly. "Especially not after what he's done."

The Dark Matter paused, and Sonic could see disappointment darken its gaze. It let out a sigh. "Very well," it conceded, before brandishing its sword, flinging away the last stains of crimson liquid off its blade. A dark aura surrounded it, and it felt awfully similar to Sonic's own chaos energy—except that this mysterious energy felt much more stable, swirling around the Dark Matter like a calm swarm of minnows, and it was obvious that it had clear control over its powers.

Sonic made the first move. Disappearing soundlessly in a flash of dark blue light, he gripped the fabric of the Dark Matter's cloak tightly in his clenched fists, pulling the Dark Matter close to him so he could give it a kick. His muzzle broke away into a crazed grin when he felt his foot collide with the Dark Matter, and the swordsman soared away from his grasp, reeling from the impact. It regarded Sonic closely, surprised and impressed. It nodded in satisfaction.

"You are skilled in combat, I can tell. Master Zero will be pleased."

Sonic's glee abruptly died away to fury. "I'm not some sort of object!" he roared, running up to the Dark Matter, this time sending out a punch. The Dark Matter dodged this blow effortlessly, not even bothering to use its sword to counter him. "And I'm tired of being treated like one!"

The Dark Matter raised its blade, casting a malicious shadow around Sonic, and with a deep, arcing sweep, it unleashed a barrage of fast, bright lasers from the sword's tip, all homing on the blue hedgehog with the intent to maim. Sonic twisted out of the way, planting his right hand on the ground as to make sure he could turn without slipping or losing his balance. Propelling himself with a mighty heave, he weaved around the Dark Matter's attacks, his body swaying with an elegance akin to the choreographed movements of dancing.

The earth below Sonic's feet rumbled, and bits of grass and weeds exploded around him, masking Sonic's vision with blurs of brown and green. He blinked blearily, twitching his ears, using his other senses in the hopes to detect the Dark Matter.